Pubdate: Sun, 06 Aug 2006
Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS)
Copyright: 2006 The Clarion-Ledger
Contact:  http://www.clarionledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805
Author: Lucy Weber
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

MADISON COUNTY ADDS MORE DRUG TESTS

Students In Some Activities To Get Random Checks

Madison County will perform more random drug tests on middle and high 
school students this year.

The district has decided to test 25 percent of each school's 
projected enrollments, up from the 10 to 15 percent tested this past 
year. Random drug tests are performed on students who participate in 
extracurricular activities that engage in competition, such as 
yearbook, newspaper, band, cheerleading, athletics and choir.

"The rationale (behind the testing) is to give kids a reason to say 
no if they're tempted," Superintendent Mike Kent said. "The more the 
tests are widely available, the more reason there is to say no."

"If we could test 100 percent, I'd be for it," school board member 
Ken McCoy said during a meeting last week.

Last year, the district tested 614 students at eight schools. At the 
middle-school level, only eighth-grade students active in 
extracurricular activities can potentially be tested. Of the number 
tested, only six students, or 1 percent, failed their drug tests.

"That is below the national average in these types of situations, 
which is generally about 2 percent," Kent said.

Students chosen at random give urine samples, which are tested for 
the presence of illegal or performance-enhancing drugs, such as 
steroids. The whole process is kept confidential.

At $25 a test, the district plans to spend $24,925 to check for drug 
use among students. Last year, the district spent $15,350. Kent said 
the district plans to seek a federal grant that would cover about 
half the cost of the testing program.

Ridgeland High principal Lee Boozer said he applauds the district 
wanting to test more students at each school. "There's not any doubt 
this gives kids a reason to say no."

Janice Watts, a parent of a freshman football player at Rosa Scott 
this year, said she appreciates the tests. The program can be a 
benefit to both parents and the schools, she said. "If a parent 
doesn't know (about drug use) and the school tests, at that point the 
parents and the school can tackle the problem together."

Students who test positive are removed from their extra activities 
for 28 days. At the end of 28 days, if a student does not test 
positive for drugs, then the student is reinstated. If he tests 
positive again during the 28 days, he goes to Alternative School for a year.

Boozer said the randomness of the tests means some students have 
never been tested while some students have been picked more than once.

The district expects to test 350 at Madison Central High, 215 at 
Ridgeland High, 88 at Velma Jackson High, 136 at Rosa Scott, 118 at 
Madison Middle School, 53 at Olde Towne Middle School, 24 at 
Northeast Madison Middle School and 13 at East Flora Middle School.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman